Brake Service and Repair
Because brakes are one of the most important aspects of vehicle performance, Galaxy Auto Centers are just as focused on having your car's brakes work all the time, every time, as they are on keeping your car running smoothly. Whether you have disc or drum brakes, Galaxy's highly trained ASE-certified technicians have state-of-the-art equipment and the expertise to check your brakes and recommend the correct repairs, if and when they are necessary.
Break Wear — Why Front Brakes Generally Fade Faster
Most cars use a front disc/rear drum brake setup, although most sports cars and most premium sedans use disc brakes at all four wheels. Disc brakes use a circular rotor (the disc) that rotates with the wheel. When the brakes are engaged, a set of pads that are attached to a caliper clamps down on the disc to help bring the vehicle to a stop. Drum brakes use pads — called "shoes" — that are mounted inside a round "drum." Those shoes push out against the rotating drum in order to provide stopping power for the car.
Because most of a vehicle's weight shifts to the front during braking, that means the front brakes have to handle most of the work. It also means the front brakes wear faster. Brake wear will also vary on different types of drivers, different conditions and temperatures. Another thing to take into consideration is wear of the struts. Strut wear increases pad wear.
Taking all of the factors into consideration, it is a fact that more aggressive drivers who slam hard on the brakes will obviously wear their front brakes out faster than those with a lighter style. Also, drivers who spend a lot of time in stop and go urban traffic will wear their brakes out faster. High temperatures can wear your pads down four times faster than normal and the weight of the vehicle, along with cargo and possible towing, will also cause faster wearing of your brakes.
Rotor Repairs
When worn-out disc brake pads are replaced, the rotors are usually machined or "cut." This is because the metal goes out-of-round over time. This often causes the brake pedal to pulsate when the brakes are activated. This is a condition often described as "warped" rotors. While the pads are being replaced, the rotors are resurfaced, to alleviate the "warped" sensation. However, rotors can only be resurfaced so many times before they become too thin for safety. At that point, they must be replaced.
Being able to stop your vehicle quickly and safely can save your life or someone else's.
